Bloch's son Shaun, who discovered the couple's bodies, and his wife Suzanne said the family was still shocked by the murders.

He praised the police for being very professional, saying officers were treating it as a priority crime.

"This, they see as an attack on the aged and defenceless and on South African unity as a whole. We are assisting them however we can. We want them to work unhindered to catch the perpetrators," he said in a statement on behalf of the family.

The home where the murders took place was where Shaun, his brothers Nigel, political activist Graeme, Lance, Guy, Hugh and sister Erica grew up.

"They will be sorely missed. We appreciate the wonderful condolences that are pouring in from all corners of the world," said Shaun.

"We hope the perpetrators of this evil, senseless crime are caught in order to answer for their actions. More importantly, however, we realise there is much outrage at this heinous crime. We do not want people to polarise, but rather to unite and seek a better South Africa, as my mother and Aubrey always did during their lives, and as they would have wished for."

The family has requested that donations in lieu of flowers be sent to organisations, Black Sash and Ikamva Labantu Charitable Trust.

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